THE ROLE OF CALCIUM IN PERI- AND POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN:NEW POSITION STATEMENT OF THE NORTH AMERICAN MENOPAUSE SOCIETY

Calcium, an essential nutrient for the human body, has received substantial attention in both the medical literature and lay press regarding its role in several chronic diseases, including the skeletal disorder osteoporosis that is characterized by compromised bone strength, predisposing bone to an increased risk of fracture. Osteoporosis occurs most commonly in postmenopausal women, and the incidence increases with age. In the United States, approximately 15% of women aged 50 years or older have osteoporosis by bone density criteria.

Thus, The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) has developed an evidence-based Position Statement to guide healthcare providers regarding the role of calcium in peri- and postmenopausal women. This paper, an update of a similar document developed by the Society in 2001, is published in the November/December 2006 issue of the Society's official journal Menopause. (Note: A copy of the Position Statement can be viewed on the NAMS Web Site at http://www.menopause.org/aboutmeno/consensus.htm.)

"A list of conclusions and detailed recommendations for women and their healthcare providers can be found in the paper," said Wulf H. Utian, MD, PhD, NAMS Executive Director. "Adequate calcium intake (typically 1,200 mg/day), in the presence of adequate vitamin D status has been shown to reduce bone loss in peri- and postmenopausal women, and reduce fractures in postmenopausal women older than age 60 with low calcium intakes. Adequate calcium is also considered a key component of any bone-protective therapeutic regimen. Thus, the most definitive role for calcium for this population is in bone health, but like most nutrients, calcium has beneficial effects in many body systems."

"Calcium intake remains important," said Robert P. Heaney, MD, John A. Creighton University Professor, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, and Chair of the Editorial Board that advised the Society's Board of Trustees regarding this Position Statement. "However, patient compliance tends to be poor. Average calcium consumption is far below the amount recommended for optimal bone health. Encouraging adequate calcium (and vitamin D) intake is necessary if women are to achieve the potential benefits."

NAMS is grateful to GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare for the unrestricted educational grant that supported the development of this Position Statement that has been designated a continuing medical education (CME) activity for healthcare providers.

The Mission of NAMS, a nonprofit scientific organization, is to promote the health and quality of life of women through an understanding of menopause. The Society's membership of 2,000 professionals representing a variety of disciplines - including clinical and basic science experts from medicine, nursing, pharmacy, anthropology, sociology, psychology, and complementary/alternative medicine - makes NAMS uniquely qualified to serve as the definitive resource for health professionals and the public for accurate, unbiased information about menopause. (www.menopause.org)